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Author: Alex Pass

Cruel reality

Yes, we all dream about doing what we love and getting paid for it. In reality this is not always that easy. You read those motivational quotes telling you that you should quit your job and follow your dreams, if you don't like where you are, move, you are not a tree, etc.

But it is hard. And it gets even harder when you have family and kids, mortgage and monthly expenses you cannot really ignore.

But beside all these concerns there is cruel reality - the majority of online businesses fail. Even brightest ideas fail quite often. And most likely you will fail as well!

Reason #1 - Failure

You will fail! Yes, this is the best reason why you should give it a try. Failure does not have to be a bad thing. None of us was born with knowledge and strength to walk, we all learned it, built strength. We tried and we fell, got up and tried again. And now we walk.

Yes, it is said to realize that you idea failed, that time and money spent and there is no result. Your girlfriend or wife might blame you for wasting time, you friends might say "we told you so". But think about the experience you've just gained! What you have learned! You stepped out of your comfort zone, you gave it a try, most likely you tried different hats on. And yes, it did no work out, but now you know what did not work, and what to do differently next time.

And yes, don't give up! You are already in entrepreneurship world, you are one of those brave ones. So analyze your results, get yourself together and get back up!

Reason #2 - Experience

Being in charge of your own business gives you a unique opportunity to try yourself in different roles. You have to come up with the idea, do a marketing research, build a business plan around it, build your MVP, build awareness about your product. So you work as a CEO, marketeer, software developer, designer, accountant and much more. If you build a team around your idea you also try yourself as a recruiter and a salesman (trying to sell the idea so people would actually join the team).

For me as a software engineer starting my own business was a great opportunity to learn what it takes to be a product owner. When you fully responsible for all aspects of product development, decide which features to be included in next release, how to market them, impact on software architecture. It is a great experience and requires a lot of learning and sleepless nights. But totally worth it! Even if you don't succeed, your experience would be very valuable and could get your a higher position with your next employment.

Reason #3 - Freedom

Freedom!

If you business finally became profitable then you are a lucky man! With online business you can work from any part of the world (as long as you have internet connection), you can work at any time of the day or night. So no more 9 to 5 job, no need to wear a suit and shave if you don't feel like it. You are free!

If only it was that easy, right? Having those advantages does not mean you can do nothing and just chill on the beach sipping caipirinha's. Your own business is a lot of work and most likely you'll be working way more than 40 hours a week and working over the weekends. But hey, you are working for yourself and you do what you love! And if you are already here - you are my hero!

Reason #4 - Respect

Respect!

If you succeeded and your online business became your primary income, it let you quit your job and you have the same income or even more this is awesome! But even if you are only trying to get through, fighting with all the challenges along the way and not making anything yet I bet your friends, those who did not dare to give it a go, respect you for actually trying!

You will not achieve anything if you don't try! But it is scary. And the majority of us know that and only keep whining about how cool it would be to do something, or be someone. Taking on a fight and losing is more respectful than chickening out and doing nothing.

Conclusions

If you have an idea, do not be afraid and give it a go. But do your homework first. Do your research, find out all potentials issues, try to estimate how long it would take to build it, how much would it cost, do you have all necessary skills or would you require to find somebody to assist you. Do you marketing research to make sure that your product is actually required (do not build something nobody needs). And don't be afraid of altering you initial idea. While your project is evolving you might need to tweak the initial idea or even change it completely. Changes are good!

Have you already tried running your online business? What were your biggest challenges?
Leave a comment, we would love to hear back from you.